“What caused you to charge into the gardens? Have you and Lady Clara been meeting?” Jack asked in a disapproving tone.
Sam snorted. “You dare judge me brother after you intentionally compromised your own wife.”
Jack glared at him. “We have two sisters in their first seasons and now our name is mired in scandal. I’m trying to understand what would cause you to take leave of your senses?”
Sam hadn’t thought about Sophia and Annie. Their seasons were expected to be crushing successes but now his scandal may have ruined that. Guilt nibbled at him. Still, he didn’t regret it. He couldn’t let Clara marry Dolan.
“Clara and I are friends. We met at Adderly’s house party.”
Jack cursed just as Mercy walked in. She frowned at his language, shooting him a disapproving look. Jack sighed and said, “So you have compromised her?”
Sam scowled at him. “Of course not. She is my friend, like a mate, not like one of my lady friends.”
“What does that mean?” Jack snapped.
Mercy frowned at him before turning to Sam. “What happened in the gardens? Why propose marriage to her?”
“I can’t let Dolan marry her,” Sam bit out.
Regardless of how reckless he had been, he would never regret stopping Clara from marrying such a monster. Mercy looked at him surprised and her mouth formed into a soft smile. “You care for her?”
Of course, he did, Sam thought. She was his friend. Still, Mercy’s smile hinted that she thought it was something more.
“It isn’t like that. Dolan isn’t a good man. I saw Clara running back up the path and the look of fear on her face indicated she wasn’t in a good situation. I acted as any decent person would.”
“It was dark. How would you know that?” his brother asked.
“I knew,” Sam snapped. “A lady does not run from her escort if she is pleased to be in their company.”
Mercy studied him. “What is it about Dolan you don’t like?”
“A friend of mine brought a young woman to my home who was so badly beaten that we had to call a doctor. At first, she didn’t want to say who had hurt her but eventually she shared it was Dolan. Her body was covered in bruises all in different stages of healing. I have agreed to be her protector for now. She believes he is still looking for her,” Sam explained.
Mercy gasped at him in horror. Jack’s face turned thunderous. “Why didn’t you damn well lead with that?”
“I gave my word that I would not share what happened to the young woman or who the abuser was. I am acting in the role as protector until she can heal and find a new place to settle. She is very insistent that Dolan is looking for her. She is absolutely terrified.”
Jack shook his head at the atrocious news. “Does she have a place to go? We can find a place for her in Liverpool.”
Sam nodded. He planned to propose that to Lila and Abigail as well.
“Promise this conversation won’t leave this room?” Sam asked.
Mercy nodded.
“Do you think I am a gossiper?” Jack asked, offended.
“Of course not. I am just trying to make sure the young woman is protected,” Sam said.
Sam had been terrified when he saw Clara heading back up the path. It was dark, but he knew that if Dolan was involved, Clara wasn't safe. Sam acted without a second thought, not concerned if he was causing a scene. The moment he threw the terrace doors open his priority had been taking care of Clara. Scandal be damned.
“I need your support on this,” Sam said quietly.
Jack and Mercy stared at each other. An unspoken conversation passed between them. Mercy turned back to him. “Of course, we stand with you and Clara.”
Jack nodded. “We will deal with the scandal.”
“Both Sophia and Annie will be asking questions tomorrow.”
